New Orleans had been on my travel list for years before I finally made it there. A little over a year ago, with our daughter away on a school trip, my husband and I decided to take advantage of the quiet and escape to the Big Easy for a quick weekend getaway.
We stayed at the charming Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery in the Warehouse Arts District. It was the perfect mix of character and convenience. It’s close enough to the lively French Quarter to walk everywhere, yet far enough to unwind when you need a breather. The hotel is also home to Compère Lapin, the restaurant of St. Lucia-born and James Beard award-winning Chef, Nina Compton – absolutely worth a visit if you go.
If you’re sticking to the French Quarter and nearby neighborhoods, skip the rental car. Rideshares to and from the airport are easy, and walking truly gives you the best feel of the city’s rhythm.
Our First Stop: Fried Chicken and Fine Dining
Since it was our first time in New Orleans, we planned to explore a bit, but if I’m being honest, we were mostly there for the food. LOL!
After checking into the hotel, we scanned the neighborhood a bit to find a quick bite before our dinner reservation at Brennan’s later that evening. We ended up at Daisy Mae’s Southern Fried Chicken and shared a two-piece meal with fries. The chicken’s crunch? A solid 10/10. Everything else? Just okay, but it did the trick.
Dinner at Brennan’s made up for it and then some. The service, the food, and the complimentary glass of champagne were all incredible. But the real star? The Bananas Foster! Yep, it’s created right there at Brennan’s and prepared tableside with butter, brown sugar, banana liqueur, and dark rum. And while it’s being prepared, the story of how this delectable dessert came about is being told. Watching it flame up before being poured over vanilla ice cream was amazing! It tasted even better than it looked, too!
A Food Lover’s Walking Tour
The next day, we were off to a French Quarter Food and Walking Tour through Get Your Guide. It lasted three hours and included more than six tastings that showcased the best of New Orleans’ Cajun and Creole flavors, along with stops at historic landmarks that tell the city’s rich cultural history.
From chargrilled oysters at Felix’s Oyster Bar to the Chicken and Sausage Gumbo at Royal House and Crawfish Bread at Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, to name a few, everything we had was a chef’s kiss! We were beyond impressed with our guide and would highly recommend this tour if you want an authentic taste of New Orleans.
By the end of the tour, we were so full that we probably could have skipped dinner, but spoiler alert: we didn’t.
An Afternoon at the Aquarium
On our walk back to the hotel, we saw a sign for the Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium. One thing about me is I’m always down for an aquarium visit! Since we had a few hours before our dinner reservation, we figured, “Why not?”
After purchasing our tickets, we were in there! After about an hour and a half, we left and headed to the hotel to relax a bit before it was time for dinner.
Dinner at Compère Lapin: A Perfect Experience
Dinner at Compère Lapin (yes, conveniently located inside our hotel) was incredible, but the service was what truly stood out. From the warm greeting we received from the Maître D’ to our waiter’s attention to detail, everything felt intentional and gracious.
For appetizers, I honestly don’t remember the name of what I ordered, but I added a photo of it below. My husband had the Snapper Collar with Jerk Peanut Sauce and Fish Caramel, and he still talks about it to this day.
For my entrée, I went with the Ital Stew with Cauliflower, Collards, and Chive Roti, while he had the Curried Goat with Sweet Potato Gnocchi and Cashews. Both were very delicious! I didn’t have much room left for dessert, that was until I saw crème brûlèe on the menu, then I had to have it, and it did not disappoint. My hubby skipped dessert altogether.
And just when we thought the evening couldn’t get any better, our waiter surprised us with a lagniappe, a complimentary glass of champagne. In New Orleans, “lagniappe” means a little something extra, and that extra touch made the entire dining experience even better.
Frenchmen Street Over Bourbon Street
After dinner, we took an Uber to Frenchmen Street. You may be wondering why we chose Frenchmen Street instead of Bourbon Street, especially since Bourbon Street is the most famous street in New Orleans. Well, we asked a few locals what they recommended, and they all said the same thing: if you want music, go to Frenchmen Street. Bourbon Street is more about bar hopping, strip clubs, and cover bands, which is fun in its own right, but not what we were looking for.
They were right. The live jazz and blues we heard that night were phenomenal – it was the perfect way to end the evening in the city that practically breathes music.
Beignets!!
On our last morning, we headed back to Royal House for breakfast. We’d loved their gumbo so much during the food tour the day before, so we decided to go back again. After breakfast, it was time for something I’d been looking forward to all weekend- beignets! Because what would a trip to NOLA be without trying them?
Since Café Beignet was a short walk from where we were, we made our way over. These made-to-order beignets were warm, fluffy, and dusted with a generous amount of powdered sugar, and they were worth the wait! I had them with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, which was also very good.
We didn’t have time to make it over to Café Du Monde to try their beignets, but I remembered seeing one at the airport when we first arrived, so we stopped there before our flight back home. Café Du Monde’s beignets were also delicious, albeit smaller. Having tried both, there was a clear winner for me: Café Beignet. The size, texture, and taste were perfection. If you ever visit New Orleans and get the opportunity to try them both, I’d love to know which one was your favorite.
Until Next Time
Our first visit to New Orleans was short and sweet – just 48 hours – but we made the most of every minute, and every bite. We are planning to go again, but next time, the stay will be longer. We will probably eat about the same, lol, but we’ll also do more sightseeing.
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